The Catalyst Group (TCG) has announced the completion of its groundbreaking multi-client study, The Biotechnology Revolution: Biopolymers and Biochemicals Come of Age for chemical and polymer clients. The Catalyst Group undertook this study because of the numerous developments in the bioinformatics area from post human genome sequencing and the sense that the science of biotechnology was positioned to take a giant leap over the next five years.

There is an increasing interest in the manufacture of biochemicals, biopolymers and in the development of more advanced enzymes and biorenewable processes. Advances in biochemicals and biopolymers are being driven by the societal need to develop additional resources i.e., a hydrocarbon and biomass based economy. Simply put, renewable feedstocks will be increasingly called upon to provide energy, chemicals and polymers as we proceed through this century.

Governments have done a good job of facilitating scientific-industrial-government based interaction regarding the biotechnology revolution! Numerous vision documents, workshops and roadmaps in various documents have been developed worldwide. The problem has been one of impetus! Complexity, economics, perceptions, misconceptions and the gap between biotechnology as a science versus an industrial reality have caused disunity.

The 2020, 2040 and 2050 vision that is being supported globally, i.e., by the UN and governments worldwide, is that there is a clear economic need to develop biorenewable feedstocks to support a "sustainable future" for our planet. During the 1990's, particularly since 1995, governments have been fiscally supporting the development of biotechnology as the enabling science to provide the solution(s) necessary to complete this task.

As the The Catalyst Group completed this extensive global study, a series of fascinating issues came to light, each with a significant impact on future direction and development. Among them was the conclusion that the government - industrial infrastructure needed to support these developments was not in place or in tune to take advantage of the developments. A major re-focus is required to realign opportunities and expectations.

The study also concluded that the scientific timing was at hand, for governments to dramatically increase R&D funding budgets to coincide with industrial-academic needs to develop the critical-mass necessary to reach ROADMAP goals over the next five years. The study includes specific technology investment recommendations such as, "identifying areas where the rapidly evolving technologies necessary for eukaryotic proteomics can be successfully implemented in the engineering of prokaryotic enzymes and metabolic pathways for enzyme and whole cell applications will become a significant factor in successful biocatalyst development," according to Clyde Payn, CEO of The Catalyst Group.

The Catalyst Group's study also identifies other key developments and provides a technology roadmap on the risks and rewards of investing in biotechnology, from both a technical and commercial development viewpoint. TCG's technology benchmarking study allows subscribers to reduce their investment risks by developing an understanding of the winners and losers in technology, timing, and development applications toward end-uses.

The study focuses on the current biotechnology toolbox, emerging technologies, and implications for the chemical and polymer industries. It compares state-of-the-art, competing technologies, examines stage-of-development and the resulting market growth rates in leading biotechnology applications. It provides an in-depth guide for organizations contemplating or investing in biotechnology.

The Catalyst Group is recognized as a leading international technical and business consulting organization providing ongoing services to companies involved in every aspect of the catalyst and process industries.

The Catalyst Group is recognized as a leading international technical and business consulting organization providing ongoing services to companies involved in every aspect of the catalyst and process industries.